Julie Andrews confirms exit from Princess Diaries 3

A controversy has erupted in Bangladesh after a member of parliament from Jamaat-e-Islami, Ghazi Nazrul Islam, became the center of public debate over his alleged second marriage following the circulation of a viral video on social media. According to Bangladeshi media reports, the video showed Ghazi Nazrul Islam with a young woman whom he later identified as his second wife. The footage quickly spread online, prompting widespread discussion and speculation. A fact-checking organization examined the video and stated that it found no evidence suggesting it had been generated using artificial intelligence or digitally manipulated. Following that assessment, public attention shifted from the authenticity of the video to the identity of the woman and the nature of her relationship with the lawmaker. In a statement, Ghazi Nazrul Islam confirmed that the woman is his second wife. He said the marriage took place on June 17 with the consent of both families and the approval of his first wife. The lawmaker alleged that the viral video had been secretly recorded and later released as part of an extortion attempt and a politically motivated campaign to damage his reputation. His first wife also released a video supporting his account. She confirmed that her husband had married Maryam Begum as his second wife and said the marriage had taken place with her knowledge and consent. Maryam Begum also appeared in a separate video, identifying herself as Ghazi Nazrul Islam’s wife. She said the marriage ceremony was held on June 17 in the presence of both families and the lawmaker’s first wife. Despite these public statements, Bangladeshi media reported that documents related to Maryam Begum later surfaced on social media. The authenticity of those documents has not been independently verified, and neither the lawmaker nor Maryam Begum or her family has publicly addressed the apparent inconsistencies contained in them. According to the documents, Maryam Begum’s marital status was listed as “unmarried.” The papers also reportedly included a recommendation signed by Ghazi Nazrul Islam on June 22—five days after the claimed marriage—in support of her application for a government job. Reports said Maryam Begum had applied for public sector employment and that the MP had endorsed her application. Ghazi Nazrul Islam rejected all allegations arising from the documents. He claimed that on July 13 he visited an office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area, where both of his wives were present. He alleged that his driver, his second wife’s uncle and several unidentified individuals held him captive, extorted 100,000 taka, demanded additional money and secretly recorded a private video, which was later circulated on social media. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh said it is gathering information about the incident and will decide on any organizational action once all facts have been established. Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Haque Mahbub Zubair said the party is reviewing media reports as well as statements from the member of parliament, his two wives and the woman’s father before reaching any conclusion.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper have discussed efforts to contain escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the two sides also reviewing defence cooperation and regional security. According to Saudi state media, the meeting focused on developments across the region and measures aimed at reducing tensions. Officials also discussed ways to strengthen security and stability amid the continuing US-Iran conflict and growing concerns over maritime traffic. The talks came as Saudi Arabia announced progress toward activating a multinational defensive maritime alliance. Representatives from 39 countries attended the alliance’s latest planning meeting in Jeddah, while 13 countries have joined the initiative. Saudi authorities described the meeting as an important step toward putting the maritime alliance into operation. The initiative comes as security concerns continue to grow around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. Tensions around the strategic waterway have intensified during the US-Iran conflict. Disruptions to shipping have raised concerns about global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas, while diplomatic efforts to secure freedom of navigation remain uncertain. US Vice President JD Vance has said that keeping energy prices affordable for American consumers is currently Washington’s top priority in the conflict. Vance said the administration wanted to maintain lower oil and gas prices while also ensuring that Iran could not acquire a nuclear weapon. His remarks came as the prolonged conflict continued to affect energy markets and increase pressure on the US economy. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington was preparing unprecedented economic measures against Tehran. He said the United States would combine intensified economic pressure with restrictions linked to Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also said Washington had the military capability to maintain its naval blockade of Iran for an extended period. He said American ships could be rotated to sustain the operation. The confrontation has severely affected Iran’s economy and disrupted its access to international trade. Tehran, meanwhile, has sought to use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in negotiations with Washington. Iran has demanded the removal of economic sanctions and the release of frozen assets as part of conditions for restoring normal maritime traffic. Commercial traffic through the Strait has fallen sharply since the conflict began. The decline has heightened fears that a prolonged disruption could further affect global energy supplies. Two vessels linked to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were reportedly attacked while passing through the waterway, prompting condemnation from the UAE. The situation has also kept oil markets volatile. Although crude prices declined recently amid concerns over weaker demand and rising US inventories, renewed attacks and threats of further escalation have continued to unsettle investors. The International Energy Agency has revised its forecast for global oil supply, projecting a larger decline than previously expected. Economists have warned that a prolonged conflict could weaken global economic growth and increase the risk of recession in some regions. US President Donald Trump has faced growing domestic pressure over the conflict, particularly as higher fuel costs weigh on American consumers. Washington has continued imposing sanctions on Iran, while efforts to bring Tehran back to negotiations have so far produced limited results.

US President Donald Trump has walked back his previous offer to grant Ukraine a license to domestically produce Patriot interceptor missiles, stating during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David that the United States has “not agreed” to share the technology. Trump expressed caution over transferring sensitive defense hardware, warning that “they can someday turn on you” and emphasising the need to safeguard advanced military systems. The reversal comes just three weeks after Trump publicly promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a NATO summit in Ankara that Washington would grant Kyiv the manufacturing rights to build the air defense interceptors. Although Zelensky recently stated after a White House visit that the production licensing had been approved, Trump clarified that no final commitment has been made. The decision arrives as Kyiv faces intensified Russian drone and ballistic missile strikes, with Ukrainian military officials warning that critical shortages of Patriot interceptors are severely compromising their air defense capabilities.